Tulsans Enjoy Sunny Ice Skating At Winterfest

As more kids get out of school for Christmas break, the ice-skating rink at Winterfest is getting busy.

As the day goes by, this place gets busier and busier, full of people eager to hit the ice.

It's not nearly cold enough outside to keep an ice rink frozen over, but with a little help from a giant freezer, Tulsans can enjoy ice skating on a sunny December day.

The contradiction is perhaps the best part. 

"That it's snowing when it hasn't snowed yet," said first-time ice-skater Eliza Murphy.

Eliza is a natural in the rink, followed closely by her sister and mom. 

"Well, I think it was just a nice opportunity to do something Christmas-y and fun, just take advantage of their break and get to be mom of the year," said Andrea Murphy.

They came out first thing to beat the crowds.

"It's a whole ice skating rink just for us," Andrea said.

But it didn't take long for more people to show up and jump on the ice under the watchful eye of Eli Moses.

"Having confidence in yourself is important, but having too much confidence and overstepping your edge will cause you to wipe out sometimes," Moses said.

Moses circles the ring hundreds of times while on shift and says wipeouts can happen but shouldn't scare you from having fun. 

"Actually, right now in the morning is a perfect time for people to come who have little experience skating because the snow is a little bit built up on the ice, so it creates a bit more traction," he said.

He says it's all about taking that first step. That's all that separates you from having a fun time at Winterfest. 

"She wanted to go ice skating forever,” Andrea said. “She's a big roller skater and roller blader and has been asking for years to come ice skating, and finally, we're making it happen."

If you want to come out to Winterfest, it's open until 10 p.m. on Tuesday, and it's open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day as well.